Margate Winter Gardens – Fort Crescent, Margate CT9 1HX
The venue is situated on the seafront, in its own gardens, overlooking the sea and to the east of the town centre. It is a mile from the main station, around a 20 minute walk.
Venue Info – The venue was originally built in 1911 as an amphitheatre and covered theatre combined, and the stage was viewable from inside and outside, hence the layout of the site in a hollow. It was also used in the 2nd World War to receive some of the troops evacuated from Dunkirk and it received a direct bomb strike in 1941 and was rebuilt after the war, and renovated in 1978. The entrance is via Fort Crescent and as you can see from the photo below, you can enter down the covered steps via the box office from the street, or via the two long ramps either side.
The interior of the venue comprises two halls, the Queens Hall and the Main Hall – James will be playing in the main hall, with the stalls in the picture removed for standing. There is tiered seating towards the back of the hall and balcony seating above the main hall, on either side of the auditorium. Disabled visitors will have access to a raised area and also seating with wheelchair spaces. The venue capacity is 2150 and they have good toilet provision (according to reviews) and a cloakroom if you need to leave coats and bags.
Parking – The venue does not have its own parking – there is some street parking on Fort Lower Promenade and the nearest car park is Trinity Square. The station has parking and if you’re staying in the Premier Inn, that has its own car park too.
- Trinity Square Car Park – CT9 1 HR
- Station Car Park – CT9 5AD
- Dreamland Car Park (400 spaces) – CT9 1XG
- Harold Road Car Park – CT9 2PG
Accommodation – as a seaside town, there are small B&Bs that you can book thru Booking.com or directly. There is also a Premier Inn at the railway station that is currently around £40-50 a night, a mile away. There is a Travelodge 3.5 miles away but currently more expensive than the Premier Inn.
Food – The venue does not serve food, only drinks, sweets and crisps. As a resort, the town centre has a good number of takeaways, pubs and restaurants, along with daytime cafes. The nearest places to the venue itself are:
- The Britannia Pub, Fort Hill – chain pub close to the venue with pub grub
- Rose In June Pub, Trinity Square – small traditional pub with classic pub grub
- Roost Restaurant, Cliff Terrace – cafe/restaurant open 12-3 and 5-8pm
- Absolute Bang Caribbean Takeaway, Northdown Road – open til 11pm
- Thai – Yama’s, 121 High Street & Bow’s Kitchen, 10 Market Place
- Seafood – Buoy & Oyster, 44 High Street
- Indian – Masala Gate, 10 Duke Street
James Fanzone have negotiated an exclusive deal with Great British Pizza Company on Marine Drive, 8 mins walk from the venue. If you mention James Fanzone and show your gig ticket, you will get any of their award winning pizzas to eat in or take away for just a fiver instead of between £6.50 and £10!
The two pubs mentioned above – The Rose in June on Trinity Square and The Britannia on Fort Hill – are the two nearest to the venue and probably best for meet-ups, though there are lots more in the town centre overlooking the beach for daytime meets.
VIP & Stage Times will be added, along with other information, when available.
James Fanzone 
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